VirtualC64 emulates a Commodore 64 personal computer on your Macintosh. I started the project in 2006 to create a virtual CPU environment that can be used as a demonstrator program in a first or second year of computer technology. Over the years I have added more and more features and the accuracy of the emulation has steadily increased. Despite one or two compatibility gaps, VirtualC64 is now able to run a large number of C64 programs without errors.

The VirtualC64 project is based on three major goals. First of all, I am trying to achieve high compatibility by emulating all components cycle accurately. Secondly, I want to create a fun-to-use emulator that presents itself as user-friendly as it can get. Last but not least I am trying to maintain a well-documented and easy-to-read codebase that makes it easy to add new features. If you agree with VirtualC64's philosophy, you are welcome to join the project. The core emulator is written in C++ and the graphical user interface is a native Cocoa application written in Objective-C. Please note that I don't want to port the emulator to any other operating system yet. VirtualC64 is open source software published under the GNU general public license.

Supported ROM images*

Kernel Rom:

kernal.901227-03.bin

Header:

85 56 20

Size:

8 KB

Basic Rom:

basic.901226-01.bin

Header:

94 E3 7B

Size:

8 KB

Character Rom:

characters.901225-01.bin

Header:

3C 66 6E

Size:

4 KB

VC1541 Rom:

1541-II.355640-01.bin

Header:

97 AA AA

Size:

16 KB

or 1541-II.251968-03.bin

Header:

97 E0 43

Size:

16 KB

*Due to copyright restrictions, ROM images are not part of the emulator.